Parameter sensitivity of a surface water quality model of the lower South Saskatchewan River—Comparison between ice-on and ice-off periods

Hosseini, Nasim; Chun, Kwok Pan; Wheater, Howard; Lindenschmidt, Karl Erich

Abstract

Little is known about seasonal differences (ice-on vs. ice-off periods) and the sensitivity of in-stream processes to surface water quality constituents in rivers that have a persistent ice cover in winter. The goal of this study is to investigate the sensitivity of nutrient transformation processes on surface water quality, especially rivers in cold regions where ice-covered conditions persist for a substantial part of the year. We established a sensitivity analysis framework for water quality modelling and monitoring of rivers in cold regions using the Water Quality Analysis Program WASP7. The lower South Saskatchewan River in the interior of western Canada, from the Gardiner Dam at Lake Diefenbaker to the confluence of the North and South Saskatchewan rivers, is used as a test case for this purpose. The study reveals that parameter sensitivities differ between ice-covered and ice-free periods and biological model parameters related to nutrient-phytoplankton dynamics can still be sensitive during the ice-covered season. For example, sediment oxygen demand is an important parameter during the ice-on period, whereas parameters related to nitrification are more sensitive in the ice-off period. These results provide insight into important water quality monitoring aspects in cold regions during different seasons.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 21, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Nov 29, 2016
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Deposit Date: Jan 24, 2022
• Journal: Environmental Modeling and Assessment
• Print ISSN: 1420-2026
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-2967
• Publisher: Springer (part of Springer Nature)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 291-307
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-016-9541-3
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/8545364